By Pat Culverhouse

Individuals arrested for non-violent crimes may now find their likeness in newspapers and online news sites beginning August 1 when Senate Bill 24, authored by Shreveport Republican State Senator Alan Seabaugh, officially becomes law.

Seabaugh’s bill displaces a 2022 legislative act that prohibited publication of offender mug shots with the exception of violent offenders. Gov. Jeff Landry signed the bill May 30.

Previously, only those arrested for certain offenses including crimes of violence, sex offenses or human trafficking could be released to the public or for publication by law enforcement officers or agencies. Provisions under the new law repeal all current restrictions.

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker noted the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association supported the new legislation, and he agreed with that stance.

“I don’t have a problem with publishing the mug shots. This is a law enforcement tool that helps track suspects and it’s been returned to us,” Parker said.

Parker said he understand the views of those who oppose publishing mug shots of individuals arrested for non-violent crimes.

“There are people who believe it damages someone who may later have charges dismissed, but there are proper steps within the system for exoneration,” Parker said. “I believe we have a system that works.”

Releasing mug shots to the public can give law enforcement a new series of leads in solving other crimes, the Sheriff said.

“We have had cases where a booking photo is published and someone will recognize that person as someone who was involved in other offenses,” Parker said. “We have closed cases where a person was arrested for one offense and then found to have been involved in others because they were identified by their mug shot.”